Method and device to enable and assist the elderly and females to exercise their leg muscles

Abstract

This leg press exercise machine is comprised of a single movable foot-plate arranged to move up and down a vertical path for exercising one leg at a time. It is designed to be used in the standing position. A controlled weight resistance mechanism is connected to the movable foot-plate for providing adjustable resistance to movement. At least one hand rail is positioned to aid entry to and exit from the machine and to stabilize the user while exercising. A lumbar pad (or backrest) is positioned to provide counter stability while exercising. A selector lever arm is used to select a maximum range of movement of the foot-plate. This selector lever arm can also be used to help leverage-up the leg to a position from which it is about to start exercising. The foot-plate is dynamic on its horizontal axis to reduce stress on the exercising foot. A method for using the leg press is comprised of standing with one leg on the ground (the stationary leg), and repeatedly operating the movable step up and down with the other leg (the exercising leg). The exercising leg is exercised until it is tired or has reached its quota, and the legs are switched to exercise the previously stationary leg while the previously exercising leg is rested.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An exercise machine comprising
 a frame,   a foot-plate for exercising one leg at a time while the other leg is stationary,   a means to apply resistance to the said foot-plate,   a back-rest,   a counterweight,   a selector lever arm to select the range of motion of the said foot-plate,   a means to assist the exercising leg by raising it from fractionally above floor level to the level selected to begin the exercise,   at least one adjustable handle for the user to hold for the purpose of stabilization,   whereby people generally and especially the elderly, infirm and females can exercise one foot at a time at a chosen range of motion and a chosen degree of resistance.   
     
     
         2 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said foot-plate is shaped with two foot-like shapes one next to the other and joined to each other along their adjacent edges thereby making a separate place for the right foot and for the left foot. 
     
     
         3 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said foot-plate moves pivotably on a horizontal axis thereby easing the pressure on the user's foot and Achilles' tendon. 
     
     
         4 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a numbered dial to chose the range of vertical motion of the said foot-plate. 
     
     
         5 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said resistance is created by using a stack of weights attached by means of a cable and pulleys to the said foot-plate. 
     
     
         6 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 5  where the extent of the resistance is chosen by means of inserting a pin in a horizontal hole passing through the width of a chosen weight and into a bored pin-rod that is attached to the said cable whereby that weight and all the weights above it are lifted by the said cable when the said foot-plate is pressed. 
     
     
         7 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the said stack of weights and the said pin are easily reachable by the user of the said exercising machine prior to exercising. 
     
     
         8 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said back-rest is adjustable on a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said counter-weight is attached to an arm at or towards the far end of the arm from the said foot-plate. 
     
     
         10 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said selector lever arm is adjustable by means of a handle that selects a position of the height reachable by the said foot-plate. 
     
     
         11 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the said selected positions are represented by numbers on a dial. 
     
     
         12 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the said selector lever arm is pulled to the side to pull out a pin from a hole and the said pin directed to a different hole wherein different holes reflect different maximum heights of the said foot-plate and are represented by the said numbers on the said dial. 
     
     
         13 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said selector lever arm can be moved to lower the said foot-plate close to floor level for the purpose of the user placing his foot on the said foot-plate and the said selector lever arm then being used to raise up the said foot-plate with a foot thereon to the maximum height chosen for exercising. 
     
     
         14 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising at least three wheels for transporting the machine where at least one wheel mechanism lifts the said exercise machine off the ground causing the weight of the said exercising machine to rest on the said wheel and of which at least one wheel is lockable thereby enabling the said exercise machine to rest firmly on the ground or optionally, be moved on the said wheels. 
     
     
         15 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the access to the said exercise machine is open and uncluttered thereby easing the entry to and exit from the said exercising machine by the elderly or infirm and easing the work of a helper of the said elderly or infirm user. 
     
     
         16 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said stabilization is during entry to and exit from the said exercising machine as well as during the action of exercising. 
     
     
         17 . An exercise machine comprising
 a foot-plate for exercising one leg at a time while the other leg is stationary,   a means to apply resistance to the said foot-plate,   a back-rest,   a counterweight,   a selector lever arm to select the range of motion of the said foot-plate,   a means to assist the exercising leg by raising it from fractionally above floor level to the level selected to begin the exercise,   at least one adjustable handle for the user to hold for the purpose of stabilization,   instructions for use of the said exercising machine,   at least one picture of an everyday task that is enhanced by the use of the said exercising machine,   whereby people generally and especially the elderly, infirm and females can exercise one foot at a time at a chosen range of motion and a chosen degree of resistance.   
     
     
         18 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the said foot-plate is shaped with two foot-like shapes one next to the other and joined to each other along their adjacent edges thereby making a separate place for the right foot and for the left foot. 
     
     
         19 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the said foot-plate moves pivotably on a horizontal axis thereby easing the pressure on the user's foot and Achilles' tendon. 
     
     
         20 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  further comprising a numbered dial to chose the extent of vertical movement of the said foot-plate. 
     
     
         21 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the said resistance is created by using a stack of weights attached by means of a cable and pulleys to the said foot-plate. 
     
     
         22 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 21  where the extent of the resistance is chosen by means of inserting a pin in a horizontal hole passing through the width of a chosen weight and into a bored pin-rod that is attached to the said cable whereby that weight and all the weights above it are lifted by the said cable when the said foot-plate is pressed. 
     
     
         23 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the said stack of weights and the said pin are easily reachable by the user of the said exercising machine prior to exercising. 
     
     
         24 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the said back-rest is adjustable on a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         25 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the said counter-weight is attached to an arm at or towards the far end of the arm from the said foot-plate. 
     
     
         26 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the said selector lever arm is adjustable by means of a handle that selects a position representing the top height of the range of motion by the said foot-plate. 
     
     
         27 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the said selected positions are represented by numbers on a dial. 
     
     
         28 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the said selector lever arm is pulled to the side to pull out a pin from a hole and the said pin directed to a different hole wherein different holes reflect different maximum heights of the said foot-plate and are represented by the said numbers on the said dial. 
     
     
         29 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the said selector lever arm can be moved to lower the said foot-plate close to floor level for the purpose of the user placing his foot on the said foot-plate and the said selector lever arm then being used to raise up the said foot-plate with a foot thereon to the maximum height chosen for exercising. 
     
     
         30 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the access to the said exercise machine is open and uncluttered thereby easing the entry to and exit from the said exercising machine by the elderly or infirm and easing the work of a helper of the said elderly or infirm user. 
     
     
         31 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the said stabilization is during entry to and exit from the said exercising machine as well as during the action of exercising. 
     
     
         32 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the said instructions are in large clear print well contrasted with the background of the said print being visible and readable by the user of the said exercise machine from the position of the user when ready to exercise. 
     
     
         33 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the said picture of an everyday task is on the body of the said exercise machine in a position easily visible and designed to be easily understandable which task is being represented. 
     
     
         34 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the said everyday task is walking up stairs. 
     
     
         35 . An exercise machine as claimed in  claims 1  and  17  wherein the said cable is substituted by a belt or chain